7/5/06
SLUSD Board Meeting Notes

By Mike Katz-Lacabe

After a closed session in which no actions were taken, the San
Leandro School Board began its July 5, 2006, meeting with the
presentation of an award from the Alameda County Board of Education
to the "Yes on Measure A Campaign" committee. Committee chair
Deborah Cox was on hand to accept the award.

During public comments, Mike Katz asked the Board to be more
proactive in providing information to the community about the mailbox
lawsuit between the school district and the San Leandro Teacher's Association.

School Trustee Linda Perry reported that she had asked for legal
advice about her participation in discussions of the freshman campus
(9th grade academy) since she lives close to one of the
properties. After consulting counsel, Perry said that she would not
participate in discussions or votes involving the freshman campus.

Dana LeSher of Harris and Associates (http://www.harris-assoc.com/),
Assistant Superintendent Cindy Cathey, Assistant Superintendent Leon
Glaster and Superintendent Christine Lim ran through a PowerPoint
presentation entitled "Potential Facility Bond, Research and
Information." The presentation covered why the district wants to
focus on 9th grade and reviewed the options under consideration,
their advantages and disadvantages.

After the presentation, public comments were made by 17 people, most
of whom spoke in support of a performing arts center. Roxanne
Ansolabehere, the San Leandro High School librarian spoke out in
favor of expanding the high school's library, noting that "our
students deserve a fully stocked, fully staffed" library. San
Leandro High School theater arts teacher Megan McKinley noted that
San Leandro placed second this year in the Ohlone College High School
Drama Competition as she expressed her support for a performing arts
center. Arguments in favor of the performing arts center included
the arts' positive effect on academic performance, the potential for
joint use of the facility, and wider support among San Leandro residents.

During subsequent comments and questions from the board, Perry again
expressed concern about the acquisition of the adjacent PG&E
property, which was required in order for the performing arts center
to be built. School Trustee Stephen Cassidy noted that a performing
arts center together with industrial arts facilities was important
because of the many San Leandro residents that worked in the
trades. Noting that the school bond would not cover all of the
projects that the Board would like to see completed, School Trustee
Louis Heystek emphasized that modernization should focus more on
restrooms, heating, roofing, fire and Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) requirements first and less on floors, painting and
ceilings. Cassidy remarked that he would rather "solve one problem
[overcrowding at the high school] fully rather than two problems
[overcrowding and modernization] halfway."

Cassidy reported that the Communication Committee discussed a mailing
list, which would be used to inform the public about upcoming events,
but he noted that it would not be ready in the short term. He hoped
it would be ready when the upgrade of the district web site was
completed by the end of the summer.

Consent items approved unanimously by the Board included extending
the contracts of Cindy Cathey, Assistant Superintendent of Education
Services, Leon Glaster, Assistant Superintendent of Business
Services, and Michael Martinez, Assistant Superintendent of Human
Resources, to June 30, 2008. Superintendent Christine Lim's contract
was also extended, but there was no date listed on the
agenda. However, Lim reported that it was extended until 2009.

The board discussed the possibility of another meeting on July 13,
2006, to further discuss the facilities bond, but there were
questions about the availability of the consultant that will provide
guidance on how much money should be in the bond measure. Cassidy
also expressed concern that the community would not have had an
opportunity to provide its input if such a meeting were held. The
board decided not to hold a meeting on July 13. Trustee Heystek also
noted that he will be late to the July 18, 2006, school board meeting
because he will be in Davis for the swearing in of his brother to the
Davis City Council.

Last week, School Trustee Pauline Cutter and Superintendent Lim met
with San Leandro Chamber President-elect Robert Brannan and San
Leandro Chamber CEO Heidi Finberg to seek assurances that the Chamber
will support the bond measure. Brannan and Finberg were reported to
be enthusiastic, but the San Leandro Chamber's Board of Directors is
scheduled to vote on the issue on July 27, 2006.